Organisers estimate that 170,000 New Zealanders have joined the strike for the climate around the country. Here’s what went down.
More than 40 #climatestrike events took place this afternoon around New Zealand, as part of a global movement calling for urgent action on the climate crisis.
The core of the strike was school students, but many others joined them, with about 100 businesses supporting and joining the marches and rallies.
At parliament, an open letter signed by more than 11,000 people was presented, calling among other things for a national climate emergency to be declared.
The New Zealand organisers reckoned as many as 170,000 people took part.
We are now receiving credible reports that 170,000 are striking nationwide. That’s an entire 3.5% of New Zealand’s entire population. #ClimateStrike #FridaysForFuture @GretaThunberg
— School Strike 4 Climate NZ (@ss4cnz) September 27, 2019
Here’s a quick survey of some of the activity.
Wellington!
The Spinoff’s Alex Braae joined the crowds at Civic Square under the supervision of the Visible Hand.
In his first dispatch on Twitter he said: “Entire civic square full. Everywhere around it also full … Numbers for #ClimateStrike in Wellington are going to be enormous.” That was quickly followed by an apology: “Sorry will just update that to very very enormous.” And: “Sure are a lot of people here who want the future to be less shit.”
#ClimateStrike Wellington pic.twitter.com/avI08n201B
— Sarah Chandler (@Sarahbellechand) September 27, 2019
It’s important to stress that estimating crowd sizes tends to be a very inexact science, but there have been reports of around 40,000 on the march in Wellington.
Sorry will just update that to very very enormous pic.twitter.com/qPMlT07wDe
— Alex Braae (@awbraae) September 26, 2019
Our Pacific communities have gathered in front of the Parliament building in Wellington demanding climate justice! #ClimateStrike #Matagimālohi #PacificPawa #PacificClimateWarriors pic.twitter.com/Al60SEQ1LQ
— 350 Pacific (@350Pacific) September 27, 2019
Currently. 🌍 #ClimateStrike pic.twitter.com/qdYJqWmeDT
— Kieran Meredith (@tweetwithkieran) September 27, 2019
The strikers marched from Civic Square to parliament, where politicians addressed them.
Asked by climate change protest organizers if they support a stronger Zero Carbon Act than the one that is currently going through Parliament, Climate Change Minister James Shaw said: “you bet”.
He passed the mic to National’s Nick Smith, who was booed before he said anything. pic.twitter.com/QR1TO14n47
— Jason Walls (@Jasonwalls92) September 27, 2019
Auckland!
Massive turnout in Auckland! #ClimateStrike pic.twitter.com/grINLXJY3N
— Dr. Lucky Tran (@luckytran) September 27, 2019
Estimates were as high as 80,000 in New Zealand’s biggest city.
The #ClimateStrike in Auckland was huge! pic.twitter.com/KSmpVoT8CB
— Ryan Mearns (@ryanmearns) September 27, 2019
Christchurch!
Ōtautahi #ClimateStrike #schoolstrike4climate Cathedral Square. pic.twitter.com/GVLEsMhsgi
— Donna (@kebabette) September 27, 2019
https://twitter.com/JooBilly/status/1177400306587619328
Dunedin!
Some of the best signs from Dunedin’s #schoolstrike4climate pic.twitter.com/jRaZbxFVEv
— Angela Cuming (@AngelaCuming) September 27, 2019
HUGE! #Dunedin, #NewZealand. Thousands rising up as the #GlobalClimateStrike begins!
There is not time to waste, there is no planet B. #ActOnClimate #climatestrike #FridayForFuture #climate #energy #go100re #GreenNewDeal @GretaThunberg pic.twitter.com/M6EYNnm6mj
— Mike Hudema (@MikeHudema) September 27, 2019
Hamilton!
#ClimateStrike #Kirikiriroa bog crowd for #hamiltonnz pic.twitter.com/2bx5GJiZ9W
— Anjum Rahman (@kiwistargazer) September 27, 2019
https://twitter.com/WintecNZ/status/1177396561162063874
New Plymouth!
New Plymouth, NZ #climatestrike pic.twitter.com/lHyZTk8xMV
— School Strike 4 Climate NZ (@ss4cnz) September 27, 2019
Napier!
Small but perfectly formed protest in Napier, Hawkes Bay. #ClimateStrike pic.twitter.com/5rFKFWFDUi
— Alison Francis (@TheBalali) September 27, 2019
Whakatāne!
https://twitter.com/vanimmink/status/1177409177620103168
Palmy!
#ClimateStrike in Papaioea/Palmerston North, the kids are alright here, too. pic.twitter.com/xuemgGKGxx
— Pierre Roudier💉💉😷 (@pierreroudier) September 27, 2019
Nelson!
On the church steps #ClimateStrike #nelson @1NewsNZ pic.twitter.com/ZjJm34gs72
— Kaitlin Ruddock (@KaitlinRuddock) September 27, 2019
Tauranga!
Huge crowd at the #SS4CNZ in Tauranga! #ClimateStrike pic.twitter.com/9PVIQs4iks
— Deborah Russell MP 🐝 (@BeeFaerie) September 27, 2019
Thames!
Around 300 joined the global #SS4CNZ in Thames. #ClimateStrike #ClimateAction pic.twitter.com/y1l4vvdEjy
— Denis Tegg (@denistegg) September 27, 2019
Judith Collins!
So 96.5% of New Zealanders are quietly getting on with their lives.. https://t.co/EYypYNnlSx
— Judith Collins (@JudithCollinsMP) September 27, 2019